Arrest caps years of growing pressure on the former Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles III and second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, over his yearslong friendship with Epstein.

Windsor, was arrested Thursday for suspected misconduct in public office after revelations in the Jeffrey Epstein files.

The former Prince Andrew has been arrested by British police on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his links to Jeffrey Epstein

British police took the former prince into custody on Thursday morning “on suspicion of misconduct in public office.” CNN’s Max Foster reports from London.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The force also said it was "carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk". We don't know the specifics of the allegations being investigated.

The King's brother was earlier arrested at around 08:00 on Thursday with police carrying out searches in Berkshire and Norfolk.

Windsor, the brother of King Charles III and son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, is threatening Britain's monarchy in an unprecedented way, royal experts say. Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew,

- Britain's Prince Andrew, right, talks to former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, left, as she is presented with the Chatham House prize, a scroll signed by Queen El